The directorate of enforcement (ED) has stepped up its probe into illegal online betting operations, conducting search operations at nine locations across Delhi, Mumbai, Surat, Lucknow and Varanasi and seizing high-end luxury vehicles linked to social media influencer and YouTuber Anurag Dwivedi.
In a release, ED says the searches were carried out on 31 December 2025 and 1 January 2026 by its Kolkata zonal office under the provisions of the Prevention of Money-Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The premises searched are linked to Mr Dwivedi and various online gaming and betting applications suspected of generating and laundering proceeds of crime.
During the latest searches, the agency seized and froze two luxury cars, including a Land Rover Defender and a BMW Z4 belonging to Mr Dwivedi. In addition, several incriminating documents and digital devices were recovered and taken into custody for further examination.
The action follows an earlier round of searches conducted on 17 December 2025, at 10 locations in Lucknow, Unnao and Delhi linked to the influencer. At that time, ED had seized four high-end vehicles, including a Lamborghini Urus, a Mercedes, a Ford Endeavour and a Thar, along with cash of about ₹20 lakh, documents and electronic devices.
According to ED, the seized material revealed alleged real estate investments in Dubai made through hawala channels. The agency also froze movable assets worth about ₹3 crore, including insurance policies, fixed deposits and bank balances, under Section 17(1A) of the PMLA.
The investigation was initiated based on a first information report (FIR) registered by the West Bengal police in connection with illegal online betting operations. The probe revealed that an online betting panel was allegedly being operated from Siliguri by accused Sonu Kumar Thakur and Vishal Bhardwaj, using mule bank accounts and digital platforms to route funds.
ED says its investigation further established that Mr Dwivedi actively promoted illegal betting platforms, received proceeds of crime through hawala channels and mule accounts and used the funds to acquire immovable properties in Dubai. The agency also stated that Mr Dwivedi has left India and is currently residing in Dubai and has failed to appear before ED, despite the issuance of multiple summons.
Earlier in the same case, ED had arrested three individuals and filed a prosecution complaint before the special court (PMLA), Kolkata, on 1 August 2025. The agency has so far frozen or attached movable assets worth about ₹27 crore in the case.
ED says further investigation into the illegal online betting and money laundering network is ongoing.
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